The Dorchester Atheneum was a private library for Dorchester residents that existed for a short time in the 19th century, and its name is used for this website about Dorchester and its past.

Click on a topic at the left of the screen to find out more about that topic.

You may use the search box at the top to find a subject of your interest. Be aware that the search returns two sets of responses. The set you see will be pages with text about the topic. There may also be a set of images. Please note that as a default, the word Pages is highlighted at the top of the page of responses. By clicking on the word Images to the right of the word Pages, you may see the second set of responses.

The site is owned by Earl Taylor, and the site’s posted content is his responsibility. You can reach him at ERMMWWT@aol.com . Many of the originals of the images on the site are owned by the Dorchester Historical Society.